Designing with Technology from the Start: A Thoughtful Approach for Controlled-Environment Facilities

Early in November, the Technova team headed to Las Vegas for this year’s Controlled Environment Systems (CEBA) 2025 Convention. Much like many conversations happening across the industry right now, the topic of emerging technology appeared throughout the breakout sessions, panels, and discussions with industry professionals. Again and again, one question rose to the forefront: At what point in the design and build process should technology be integrated?  

Racking systems and early forms of automation have gradually become part of warehouse design as those technologies have matured. Today, a new wave of operational tools is emerging rapidly, and many of these solutions now play a significant role in how temperature-controlled facilities perform. Because these technologies are evolving so quickly, they often end up being bolted on after the project is complete, rather than being included during initial design. More teams are recognizing that earlier consideration brings important advantages for the end user and also creates a clear differentiator for designers and builders who want to stand out in a competitive market. 

Why Technology Is Becoming More Valuable for Operators 

In a breakout session titled, US Food Safety by Design, led by Kate Lyle, an architect specializing in industrial cold storage and food processing, attendees were reminded just how many regulatory bodies, standards, and compliance frameworks govern food safety and traceability. From federal regulations to third-party certifications to emerging global standards, the list is long and growing. 

As operators face this expanding landscape, many are searching for tools that can support accuracy, consistency, and rapid response to change. Digital systems for sensing, monitoring, and data capture provide clearer visibility into product conditions and workflow performance. These tools help reduce the risk of human error, improve documentation, and strengthen overall reliability. As a result, the environment in which these tools function becomes central to their success, and the design of the facility plays a significant role in shaping that environment.

These needs set the foundation for why timing matters. When technology enters the conversation earlier, operators gain stronger support across compliance, safety, and operational efficiency. 

The Challenges That Arise When Technology Is Added Later On 

When technology is introduced near the end of a project, both operators and design teams often face constraints that could have been avoided. Common challenges include: 

• Layouts that are less aligned with automated or digital workflows 

• Additional structural changes that increase project costs 

• Reduced opportunities to streamline processes 

• Less efficient placement of infrastructure , equipment, or data pathways

  
  

For design teams, late integration can also limit their ability to engage strategically with clients. This can lead to: 

• Fewer chances to demonstrate leadership in emerging tools 

• Reduced differentiation from competing firms 

• Weaker positioning when clients evaluate long-term partners 

The Advantages of Early Technology Integration 

When technology becomes part of early planning, both operators and designers gain important advantages. Facilities benefit through: 

• More efficient workflows with fewer manual steps 

• Stronger and more consistent documentation practices 

• Greater accuracy in monitoring temperature and product flow 

• Increased flexibility for future regulatory or operational changes 

Design teams also gain meaningful advantages, including: 

• More intentional design choices that lower costs by eliminating unnecessary infrastructure 

• Stronger alignment with client expectations and industry trends 

• Clear differentiation in proposals and competitive bids 

• The ability to showcase modern, strategic design thinking 

• Deeper client trust through proactive planning 

A Path Toward More Future-Ready Facilities 

The most forward-thinking designers are beginning to ask new kinds of questions: 

• How can technology shape the layout rather than fit into it?  

• What operational assumptions should we challenge because digital tools now offer better alternatives?  

• How can integrated systems give operators the transparency regulators increasingly expect? 

Technology will continue to shape the future of controlled environment facilities. Early integration gives operators more confidence, gives designers more influence, and creates facilities that are ready to adapt to ongoing change. 

Bringing technology into the design process earlier strengthens operations, elevates design value, and supports better long-term outcomes for every stakeholder involved. It also opens the door to new possibilities, new ideas, and new ways of thinking about what these facilities can achieve.

By welcoming technology into the conversation from the very beginning, teams position themselves not only to meet the needs of today, but to help shape the next generation of controlled-environment design. This is where innovation begins, and where the industry moves forward together.